Jan
24
Res{owl}utions
January 24, 2014 | 2 Comments
Welcome back, y’all!
Historically, I abstain from making New Year’s resolutions. My thinking: make goals throughout the year; it doesn’t have to be the 1st of January to change or better yourself. However, there is something inspiring about a new year, a fresh start. So, for the past two years, I have made general New Year’s resolutions in a variety of categories along with specific monthly/weekly goals to help me accomplish them. Check ‘em out, and hold me accountable!
Social – Stay connected. My past resolutions have been to schedule one coffee/lunch/dinner date with a friend a week to get my introverted self out of the house. I have found this to be costly and difficult when coordinating crazy schedules, often leading to disappointment when I fail to check this weekly goal off my list. So, this year I will write one letter and make one phone call to a family member and friend once a month. Who doesn’t love snail mail?
Physical – Limit candy intake. I am notorious for going through an entire box of Hot Tamales in a half-hour episode of Parks and Recreation. Not so healthy. I am limiting myself to one treat a week. Wish me luck.
Spiritual – Find a church home by March 1 – Our Church went through a lot of changes somewhat recently resulting in the elimination of the young adult service. While shopping for a new home should not be rushed, we have come to the point where we need to commit and get involved.
Financial – My fiance, Jeff, and I will be participating in the 52-week savings plan. Each of us will deposit the number of that week of the year into a jar for our honeymoon! By the end of the year, we will have saved $1,378 each, $2,756 total! Aloha.
Education – Finish all assignments this semester one day before they are due and read one book a month. Obviously I’m a procrastinator if completing an assignment the day before, not the day of, is a resolution for me. I blame perfectionism. I am always editing until the last minute. No more, my friends. As for reading, I plan on accomplishing that task through my TV-less-Tuesdays and Thursdays. (If the book of the month just so happens to be listed on one of my syllabi, so be it 😉
Personal – Take a picture a day. For two reasons. Now that I am someone’s soon-to-be-wifey, I feel it is my duty to document the rest of our life together. So, I’m slowing putting together a “yearbook” for us, which will, well… require a lot of pictures. I would say I’m already failing at this as there will be days in January without a picture, but I realized I’ve already taken more pictures this month that I did in last year. (Yeah, I’m that bad at taking pictures.) Second, taking a picture a day will make me stop to enjoy the moment. Whatever that moment it is. For example, last week I got a flat tire. It certainly made for a long Wednesday, but also for some good quality time with Jeff while waiting for AAA.
What will you accomplish in 2014?
For the love of goals and owls,
Ashley
2 Comments so far
Good luck with the money challenge Ashley, I’m doing the same thing!! Figured I can treat myself to a vacation at the end of the year with my savings!
Good luck to you too!! We can do this!!